All About Nature’s Best Photography Exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History

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Right now, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History is hosting the 23rd Annual Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition—considered the Oscars for nature photography. It’s open now through September, and is a must-see for any lovers of art, photography or nature visiting in that time.

For a little more insight, this is our guide to the Nature’s Best photography exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History.

The Origin Of The Works

The images on display at this exhibition were chosen from over 26,000 submissions to the 2018 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice Awards. Out of all those entries, only sixty images are selected—each showcasing the work of an outdoor photographer from one of 59 different countries. It’s safe to say that this is a remarkably prestigious and diverse collection of images.

The photographs chosen represent a variety of category winners from the Windland Wards and a selection of Highly Honored Images. There are also some photographs that won competitions such as Nature’s Best Photography Asia, and the Audubon Photography Awards. The exhibition presents these works as large format fine art prints, and video.

The History

Launched in 1996, the Nature’s Best Photography Awards became an endowed exhibition program partnered with the world-famous Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. This free-to-attend cultural institution is one of the most popular destinations for travelers in Washington, DC, and features a number of brilliant and historical exhibits.

The name of the competition honors nature photographer and conservationist Windland Smith Rice. She was a brilliant nature photographer who worked on commission for Fujifilm and The National Geographic Society. Having passed in 2005 at the young age of 35, Rice is honored today with this competition, and exhibits around the world, like a collection of her Yellowstone photographs at the Memphis Zoo.

Checking Out The Exhibit

Anyone visiting Washington, DC between now and September can visit the exhibit for free, and check out the spectacular work from this nature photographers from around the world. Book here to stay with the Capitol Hill Hotel when traveling to Washington, DC.

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